hen attending an interview, you could be oblivious to the fact that your interviewer is sizing you up by keenly paying attention to your body language. A lot is revealed by your body language, and therefore you have to rein in off-putting body movements and promote positive body gestures and behaviors.
People naturally transmit and pick up nonverbal communication; since time immemorial they have been practicing this. When your date crosses her arms but her face is displaying a smile, don’t you wonder what is troubling her or why she is so aloof? During an interview, you do not wish your body language being at odds with what you are saying, as this looks as though you are lying. The initial impact, or the initial couple of minutes of the interview, tends to create a lasting impression.
The Handshake: Make sure your hands are dirt free, nicely manicured and sweat free. You wish to let the interviewer to make the first move towards shaking hands, and you should be able to return in equal measure the interviewer’s handshake, never gripping his hand harder than he did. Smile and look straight at the interviewer. Hold it for about 2-5 seconds. When the interview ends, the handshake might last longer, bend forward and smile as you shake hands.
The following are some things you must avoid when attending an interview:
- Holding your hands at the back of your head
- Fiddling with your tie all the time
- Sprawling in your chair
- Tugging at your collar
- Pulling at your attire or face
- Stiff smiles or stress on the face
- Not much eye contact
- Creasing your eyebrows
- Quickly bobbing your head
- Any uneasy tics
- Having your ankles crossed - indicates holding back information
- Having your legs crossed away from your interviewer- toward is acceptable
- Having one ankle crossed over your other knee
- Intruding into your interviewer’s personal area
- Do not beam foolishly
- Chewing on one’s lips distractedly
- “Feigning” a cough when a difficult question is posed
- Having your arms folded or crossed
- Do not needlessly tap the desk or floor with your foot
- Earsplitting, insufferable laughter
